You have many ideas, but you can’t pursue them all at once if you want to move fast and build something meaningful. This section will help you filter your ideas, validate your direction, and commit to the one idea that deserves your energy right now. In a world where anyone can build, the advantage goes to those who know exactly what they're building and why.

2.1 Idea Filter

List up to 5 ideas you’re currently considering in the first column. This can include new startup ideas or product directions you’ve been thinking about. Then, score each idea 1-5 in the two columns: passion, expertise — and see if it passes the 10-year test.

Add the scores to get a total out of 10. Important: If the answer to the 10-year test is No, this idea should be set aside.

| Idea List | Passion

How excited are you to solve this?

1 point = meh

5 points = obsessed | Expertise

Do you have the skills or unfair advantage?

1 point = learning curve

5 points = domain pro | 10-Year Test

Would you happily work on this problem for a decade?

Yes / No | Total

Maximum: 10 points

If the 10-year test = No, leave blank and set aside the idea. | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

Once you’ve scored all your ideas, pick the 1–2 ideas with the highest total points, but only from those that passed the 10-year test. Next, move these ideas into the Validation Check to test if the market is as excited about them as you are.

2.2 Validation Check

For each idea that passes the Idea Filter, talk to 5 people in your potential target audience. Ask them:

1. Do they have the problem you’re trying to solve and how do they currently solve it?
2. How did they explain your idea back to you? Did they understand it clearly?
3. Did they express excitement or relevance? Are they willing to pay for this solution?

Then, for each person, use this table to assign points:

Idea 1

| Person you asked | Do they have the problem you’re trying to solve?

(1 point) | Is their current solution insufficient?

(1 point) | Did they understand you idea when you explained it?

(1 point) | Did they express excitement or relevance?

(1 point) | Are they willing to pay for this solution?

(3 points) | Total score

Maximum per person: 7 points | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

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Average score per idea = (Total points from all interviews) ÷ (Number of interviews conducted)

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